Zoe Smith completes makeover of typical sixties townhouse

Zoe Smith has completed this £195,000 revamp and extension of a late 1960s, three-storey, terraced townhouse in Hackney, east London.

he ageing exterior wall panels and windows of the ageing ex-local authority home were removed, leaving only solid brickwork to side and front elevations. The PVC panels were replaced by insulated cavity walls made of black engineering brick.

The 50m² extension, which wraps around the side and rear of the building, features two large, aluminium-framed doors and houses a new entrance, playroom, kitchen, dining and living area.

Smith, who completed the scheme under the ZS Architects banner but has recently set up a new studio called ZCD Architects with Cordula Weisser and Dinah Bornat, said: ‘This project demonstrates how, through a process of removal, alteration and extension, the ubiquitous ex-council 1960s townhouse can be transformed into a unique and contemporary family home.

‘A simple and honest palette of materials was chosen, some of which seemed appropriate to the original date of the property; industrial parquet oak flooring was selected for the upper floors of the existing house.’

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